Successful Leadership Research Articles

Navigating Burnout in the Public Sector: Strategies for Enhancing Employee Well-Being and Organizational Performance

Burnout has become a critical concern in public sector organizations, with recent studies showing that its impacts extend beyond employees' personal well-being, severely affecting organizational performance. This article aims to identify key contributors to burnout by extracting qualitative secondary data, including research findings, case study material, and employee narratives. Using Maslach's Burnout Inventory as a framework, the study focuses on emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment as the primary dimensions of burnout. Key factors such as high workload, bureaucratic pressure, and emotional labor are examined, alongside their detrimental consequences on job performance, mental health, and public trust. This study highlights successful leadership interventions aimed at mitigating burnout. Case studies from public health agencies, local government offices, social services, and educational institutions reveal that leadership style, resource deployment, and employee engagement are significant in minimizing burnout and enhancing job satisfaction. Transformational leadership, flexible work arrangements, peer support programs, and recognition initiatives are presented as practical interventions that improve employee well-being. The article also underscores limitations in existing literature and calls for more comprehensive, longitudinal studies across distinct public sector roles to fully capture the long-term effects of burnout. Furthermore, it stresses the importance of incorporating employee feedback into the design of well-being initiatives to promote work-life balance. In conclusion, this paper offers actionable recommendations for public sector leaders and policymakers, advocating for a holistic approach to managing burnout. By fostering supportive work environments, public sector organizations can enhance their effectiveness in serving communities, while contributing valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on organizational well-being.

Shaping New Identities in the First Intermediate Period (2160–2050 BC): Archers and Warriors in the Iconography of Upper Egypt

The First Intermediate Period was a time of cultural innovation and social competition. The collapse of the monarchy and the cultural productions it sponsored paved the way for the emergence of new artistic and cultural expressions, better adapted to a context of fragile authorities and competing local powers. Warfare between rival regional polities became frequent, so tomb scenes and funerary stelae from Middle and Upper Egypt began depicting military actions and men posing as archers. Moreover, local authorities sought the support of local levies and fellow citizens to strengthen and legitimate their fragile rule. Therefore, many monuments and inscriptions celebrate successful command, effective leadership, and caring about one’s city and its inhabitants. These conditions favoured the emergence of cultural innovations and social values aiming to express new identities. Depicting weapons, mainly bows, was crucial in this respect in some areas of Southern Egypt and echoed comparable phenomena occurring in neighbour regions like Nubia and the Levant.

China’s Governance in the “New Era” of Xi Jinping

The dramatic shifts in policies and practices of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) over the course of its tumultuous 75-year history underscore the decisive importance of political leadership. Institutionally, China closely resembles other former and surviving Communist regimes. Operationally, however, its dynamic patterns of governance reflect the shifting concerns of a succession of visionary Communist Party leaders.

What Really Separates Exceptional Leaders From the Pack

This article examines what truly separates exceptional leaders from average performers based on leadership literature and the author's experiences in consulting and research. Through an analysis of key attributes demonstrated by highly successful leaders across sectors, five distinguishing characteristics emerge. Exceptional leaders demonstrate deep self-awareness and authenticity. They convey inspiring strategic visions along with competent plans for achieving them. They focus externally on cultivating others' potential. Internally, resilience and adaptability enable navigation of challenges. Most importantly, exceptional leadership is defined by tangible positive impact and lasting organizational or societal change - the ultimate measure of any leader's success. Real-world case studies across industries illustrate how top leaders embody these traits in practice. The consistent emergence of these underlying disciplines suggests they can be cultivated to inspire elevated performance.

The influence of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery on clinical trial development by cardiothoracic surgeons

ObjectiveClinical trials play a critical role in the rapidly evolving field of cardiothoracic surgery and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery Clinical Trials Methods Course has provided a biannual symposium led by preeminent surgeons with vast experience in planning, conducting, and analyzing surgical clinical trials. This study hypothesizes that participation in the course is associated with future success in clinical trial leadership. MethodsA list of course attendees (2014-2022) was queried in ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of clinical trials funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health. The type of clinical trial and publications from the trial were collected. Demographic information about the participants was collected from faculty pages. ResultsA total of 107 participants from various professional backgrounds attended the American Association for Thoracic Surgery Clinical Trials Methods course and led 91 clinical trials. The average time to starting a clinical trial after attending the workshop was 3.04 years for participants who had not already been involved with a trial. Of the 107 participants, 36 (33.6%) were either the principal investigator or a subinvestigator for 91 clinical trials. ConclusionsThe American Association for Thoracic Surgery Clinical Trials Methods course provides participants the tools for successfully leading surgical clinical trials. Although participation has been limited, those who attend the course and lead a clinical trial do so within approximately 3 years. The Clinical Trials Methods Course provides an excellent return on investment and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery should continue sponsorship of this program because it supports the develop of future leaders in cardiothoracic surgery.

Heed Lessons Learned for Leadership Success

Heed Lessons Learned for Leadership Success

Communication Management Factors and Performance of Rwamagana Leaders’ School Project in Rwanda

The study examined the impact of communication management variables on the success of Rwanda's Rwamagana Leaders' School Project in cross-cultural settings. It aimed to assess how linguistic diversity management, digital communication methods, and communication frequency influenced project outcomes. Data was collected from 37 staff members through interviews and questionnaires, employing descriptive and correlation study approaches. Statistical analysis utilized descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, and Pearson correlation. Key findings revealed that 56.76% of respondents agreed and 35.14% strongly agreed that regular, open communication is essential for project success, yielding a mean of 4.24 (SD = 0.72). Similarly, stakeholder interaction frequency was deemed important, with a mean of 4.24 (SD = 0.76). Regular reporting and documentation also enhanced project performance (mean = 4.27, SD = 0.73), with 54.05% agreeing and 37.84% strongly agreeing. Additionally, 91.89% highlighted the importance of digital communication for budget adherence and collaboration. Miscommunication was a concern for 89.19% of respondents, indicating potential delays and cost overruns. ANOVA results (F = 481.065, p < 0.001) showed significant performance variations across communication management parameters. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.893, p = 0.000) between communication management characteristics and project performance suggests that improvements in communication practices directly enhance project success. Overall, the study concluded that effective communication and linguistic diversity management are vital for the Rwamagana Leaders' School Project's success.

A Review of Educational Leadership during Crisis: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to educational systems worldwide, compelling leaders in the field to swiftly adapt and respond to an ever-evolving crisis. This study provides a comprehensive review of educational leadership during the COVID-19 crisis, utilizing secondary data sources to examine the strategies, responses, and lessons learned. The analysis highlights the critical role of adaptive leadership, effective communication, and the integration of technology in managing the crisis. Key findings indicate that successful educational leadership during the pandemic necessitated a collaborative approach, resilience, and the ability to swiftly implement innovative solutions. The study underscores the importance of preparing educational leaders for future crises by fostering skills in crisis management, digital fluency, and organizational agility. These insights offer a blueprint for developing robust frameworks and policies to enhance the efficacy of educational leadership in the face of unforeseen challenges.

Emotional Intelligence in Insurance Leaders For Managing Business Communication with Generation Z

Modern business landscape, including the insurance industry, demands effective leadership to navigate the complex interpersonal dynamics, especially when working with Gen Z as the newest generation that enters the workplace. Gen Z employees, with their unique expectations and communication styles, seek leaders who offer transparency, authenticity, and emotional connection. This study explores the significant role of emotional intelligence (EI) in achieving leadership success within insurance companies. Emotional intelligence is increasingly recognized as a key factor in leadership effectiveness, influencing how leaders build relationships, make strategic decisions, and inspire their teams. Given the competitive nature of the insurance industry and its technological advancements, leaders must adeptly manage a multigenerational workforce and adapt to new challenges. This qualitative research explores how insurance leaders utilize EI to engage Generation Z, who prioritize diversity, collaboration, and flexible leadership. By understanding Generation Z's unique communication preferences, emotionally intelligent leaders enhance organizational performance and employee satisfaction. Drawing on current literature and interviews with leaders from an insurance company in Indonesia, this study finds that leaders with high emotional intelligence significantly boost employee engagement, satisfaction, and productivity. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating emotional intelligence into leadership practices to ensure resilience and competitiveness in the market, benefiting organizations by bridging generational gaps and empowering Gen Z employees.

The Role of Political Leadership Achieving Economic Growth and Project Success Through the Mediating Role of Political Stability: Investigation from Mega Project

This paper aims to understand the interdependency of political leadership, political stability, economic growth, and project success by applying the concept from the intuitional theory and Resource Based View - (RBV). This study addresses the relationship between political leadership in determining economic growth and the success of projects, arguing that leadership leads to stability of the political system that enhances economic growth and development and a conducive environment for construction projects. It also explores the mediating effect of political stability by proposing that the impact of political leadership on growth and project success is more strongly positive if the political system is stable. The data were collected from 240 professional’s team member working in a mega project in Pakistan. The research employed partial least squares structural equation modelling to confirm the direct and mediated effects. The findings demonstrated that PL exerts a favorable and substantial influence on economic growth and project success. Moreover, the results further validated that political stability mediates the relationship between political leadership, economic growth and project success. Thus, this paper extends the current literature review by offering empirical findings on the importance of political stability in mediating between political leadership, economic development, and project success. The current study also supports development of an integrated model that integrates political, economic and management strategies in politically unstable context to enhance the sustainable marketing system towards sustainable development goals. This paper has developed the theoretical framework and hypotheses that point out the importance of policymakers, project managers, and researchers adopting and implementing a comprehensive framework of integrated political, economic, and management to solve challenges of sustainable development and project performance. The proposed findings of this study are most beneficial to those countries with unstable political systems, highlighting that investment in political stability results in substantial economic and project-related returns.

Multidimensional social influence drives leadership and composition-dependent success in octopus-fish hunting groups.

Collective behaviour, social interactions and leadership in animal groups are often driven by individual differences. However, most studies focus on same-species groups, in which individual variation is relatively low. Multispecies groups, however, entail interactions among highly divergent phenotypes, ranging from simple exploitative actions to complex coordinated networks. Here we studied hunting groups of otherwise-solitary Octopus cyanea and multiple fish species, to unravel hidden mechanisms of leadership and associated dynamics in functional nature and complexity, when divergence is maximized. Using three-dimensional field-based tracking and field experiments, we found that these groups exhibit complex functional dynamics and composition-dependent properties. Social influence is hierarchically distributed over multiscale dimensions representing role specializations: fish (particularly goatfish) drive environmental exploration, deciding where, while the octopus decides if, and when, the group moves. Thus, 'classical leadership' can be insufficient to describe complex heterogeneous systems, in which leadership instead can be driven by both stimulating and inhibiting movement. Furthermore, group composition altered individual investment and collective action, triggering partner control mechanisms (that is, punching) and benefits for the de facto leader, the octopus. This seemingly non-social invertebrate flexibly adapts to heterospecific actions, showing hallmarks of social competence and cognition. These findings expand our current understanding of what leadership is and what sociality is.

WHY DO DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVES FAIL? DIGITAL MINDSETS AS AN INVISIBLE STRATEGIC COMPONENT

The question of why some organizations cannot achieve successful transformation despite having sufficient technological resources and infrastructure is multidimensional and complex. If we add to this question why some organizations cannot achieve digital innovation despite successfully implementing digital transformation into their business processes, we can conclude that an invisible element in organizations is used strategically incorrectly or erroneously. This study argues that this invisible strategic component is digital mindset and examines it in terms of leaders, employees, and the collective mindset of the organization, culture. In this conceptual research, digital leadership and culture have been taken as a domain and mindsets as a method to understand invisible components of success and/or failure. With this approach, two studies that have made significant contributions to digital mindset studies, Lankshear and Knobel's (2006) and Solberg et al. (2020), were taken as reference points and delved into. Digital mindsets have been examined in two different analyze level: business mindset and individual mindset at the organizational level. Firstly, this study examines two primary digital mindsets (Lankshear and Knobel, 2006)—Mindset 1 and Mindset 2—offering contrasting views on social relations, value creation, production, expertise, and intelligence. Secondly, it examines the digital mindsets, which Solberg et al. (2020) divided into four (Fixed/Zero-Sum, Fixed/Expandable-Sum, Growth/Zero-Sum, and Growth/Expandable-Sum), as a strategic tool that operates with two different mechanisms, from culture to employee and from employee to culture, in order to create and implement a successful digital transformation strategy in organizations. Although the literature highlights some aspects of digital leadership, digital transformation and technology selection strategy, and digital organizational culture, there is not yet sufficient knowledge to see their relationship with the digital mindset in a holistic way. Addressing this gap will provide insights into the interaction between leadership, culture, employee mindset, and digital technology strategy success, ultimately contributing to more holistic and effective digital transformation practices. This research contributes to the literature with two aspects of the model it proposes. First, it draws attention to the importance of the leader's mindset in terms of strategic horizon. Second, it provides a framework for the leader to develop different strategies, policies and practices according to the differences in the digital mindsets of the employees. It is aimed to develop a strategic perspective for the digital mindset, which is associated with different individual and organizational dimensions in the literature as an element of culture.

The four Cs of physician leadership: A key to academic physician success.

Leadership is increasingly recognized as important in medicine. Physician leadership impacts healthcare delivery and quality. Little work has been done to determine how physician leadership in practice aligns with established models in leadership theory. We conducted 40 semi-structured, 50-minute interviews of physicians who had achieved the rank of professor in our school of medicine and were serving, or had served, in leadership positions. We used an inductive content analysis approach to identify content categories, with leadership emerging as one such category. Subsequently, for the present study, we performed a secondary analysis of the data. To do this, we reviewed all transcripts, seeking to identify if and how participants discussed leadership in relation to success in academic medicine. Following identification of sub-categories related to leadership, we performed qualitative content analysis. We then used a deductive content analysis approach to determine how participants' discussions of leadership aligned with major leadership theories. Then, the principal investigator conducted a secondary inductive content analysis revealing leadership themes that were synthesized into a new model of physician leadership. Twenty-nine participants spontaneously discussed leadership and leadership-related topics as important to their own academic success and comprised the present study cohort. Participants identified contributors to leadership success that aligned with multiple major leadership theories, including leadership traits, skills, behaviors styles, and situational leadership. None of the leadership theories aligned completely with our physician leaders' discussions, suggesting an alternate leadership framework was operating. Further analysis revealed a new model of leadership comprised of the "Four Cs of Physician Leadership": character, competence, caring, and communication. Our participant group of academic physicians identified leadership capabilities as being important in their academic success. While they discussed leadership in ways that fit to varying degrees with the major leadership theories, their discussions revealed a novel, more holistic leadership framework. Further work will be beneficial to determine if this model of leadership is specific to physicians or is more generalizable.

Successful School Principals Balancing Ethical, Personal and Collective—A Norwegian Case

Over the past two decades, there has been extensive research into what constitutes successful school principal leadership under the assumption that leaders’ practices are significant and context-dependent on their school organization. By investigating how successful principals balance their personal ethical leadership dispositions and their intention of sharing leadership, this paper aims to contribute to the knowledge of how school principals need to balance the ethical, personal, and collective as the top leader of the school. Findings from the interviews suggested that a central aspect in the Norwegian school principals’ characteristics of their leadership practices is student wellbeing and collaborative effort for school quality and student learning. Norwegian successful school principals seem to be relatively unaware of aspects of power use in their leadership practices. Dilemmas arise in the complexity of ensuring individual and collective effort and responsibility for the school to function in accordance with the societal mandate.

Enhancing organizational performance through effective leadership and communication

This empirical paper aims to explore the concept of leadership in organizations and analyze its role and impact on organizational success. Leadership is a key aspect for the development and performance of organizations in a diverse and competitive environment. Referring to the literature and various studies, this paper aims to shed light on the qualities and behaviors that characterize successful business leaders, as well as to identify their strategies and practices used to influence their team towards achieving organizational objectives.Through an in-depth analysis of the literature and studies conducted in the field of leadership and business, the main qualities of successful business leaders will be examined, such as strategic vision, integrity, the ability to make wise decisions, the ability to communicate and inspire, as well as the ability to develop the team and encourage innovation. By understanding the role and impact of leadership, organizations can develop appropriate strategies and practices to improve performance and achieve long-term success in a changing and challenging environment.

Heed lessons learned for leadership success

PHILADELPHIA — Four decades in high‐level leadership positions in the higher education environment have provided Barbara Gellman‐Danley, Ph.D., with valuable lessons learned.

Analisis Unsur-Unsur yang Menentukan Tingkah Laku Kepemimpinan, Konsep Dasar Kepemimpinan, dan Syarat-Syarat Kompetensi Pemimpin Pendidikan Islam

This study aims to identify and analyze the elements that determine leadership behavior, basic concepts of leadership, and the requirements for leader competence in the context of Islamic education. Effective leadership in Islamic educational institutions has an important role in achieving strategic goals and building a conducive educational environment. The elements that determine leadership behavior include personal characteristics, leadership styles, and interacting environmental influences. This research also explores various basic concepts of leadership from traditional to modern perspectives, complemented by Islamic values such as justice, honesty, and example. In addition, the study identifies the competency requirements of Islamic education leaders, including academic ability, managerial skills, as well as moral and spiritual qualities needed to effectively manage educational institutions. Through a qualitative approach, this research collects data from various relevant literature and case studies. The results showed that successful leadership in Islamic education is not only based on managerial skills, but also on moral integrity and commitment to Islamic values. This research is expected to provide insight for academics, practitioners, and policy makers in developing leadership models that are effective and in accordance with Islamic principles, as well as support the improvement of the quality of education in Islamic educational institutions.

Catalyzing Success: How Enthusiastic Leaders Drive Performance through Group Satisfaction and Positive Emotions

AbstractEffective leaders employ a blend of transformational and transactional leadership styles to collaborate with their employees, working towards achieving organizational objectives. While the significance of enthusiasm in leadership is acknowledged, its specific role remains largely unexplored within the realm of leadership studies. We contend that enthusiasm assumes a pivotal and influential role in successful leadership, ultimately enhancing overall productivity. This study is dedicated to investigating how leader enthusiasm impacts perceived performance among team members and examine the mediation of group satisfaction and positive emotions in the relationship between leader enthusiasm and perceived performance. By analyzing data collected from a participant pool of 311 individuals, our research yields compelling evidence that leader enthusiasm exerts a positive influence on perceived performance. A noteworthy revelation emerging from our research is found in the mediation analysis. This analysis sheds light on the pivotal roles of group satisfaction and positive emotions as key mediators in the link between leader enthusiasm and perceived performance. This underscores the concept that leader enthusiasm indirectly shapes how employees perceive their own performance, primarily through its profound impact on group satisfaction and the positive emotions experienced by individual team members. In summary, our study underscores the vital and transformative role of leader enthusiasm in cultivating a rewarding and fulfilling work environment. This, in turn, exerts a positive influence on follower emotions and their perceptions of performance. Our findings shed light on the intricate mechanisms through which leader enthusiasm contributes to shaping employees’ perceptions of their performance.

Building Science Teacher Leaders for Indigenous Schools: Lessons from a Science Professional Development Workshop in Nepal

This is a case study of a science professional development workshop in Nepal with 17 teacher participants from four public schools. These schools mainly served Indigenous students in elementary, middle, and high school (Grades 9 and 10). The workshop focused on educating and building science teacher leaders for culturally relevant teaching and antiracist pedagogy by valuing and integrating Indigenous leadership practices and local knowledge. The teachers participated in a 2-day workshop co-organized by the local district education office and the local high school and led by the high school principal and a U.S.-based university faculty. Data were collected during and after the workshop through field notes, audio/video recordings of some sections of the workshop, and focus group interviews with a select group of participating teachers. The analysis of the data showed (a) struggles and opportunities to prioritize Indigenous science knowledge and Tharu sociocultural connections, (b) teachers seeking affirmation from principals to be science teacher leaders modeled on Indigenous leadership values, and (c) greater willingness for culturally relevant pedagogy among female and Indigenous teachers. The hope is that this paper will contribute to the value of a science teacher leadership professional development program (PD) in building awareness among science teachers about the value of culturally appropriate antiracist pedagogy in science teacher leaders. In addition, the PD also shows that science teacher leaders in Indigenous schools would benefit from the Indigenous relational model of leadership in leading their peers and students in antiracist and culturally relevant science teaching and learning. Finally, the study seems to indicate that a successful science teacher leader always incorporates local Indigenous community values, knowledge, and practices.

Multidimensional analysis of entrepreneurial leadership and spatial innovation for sustainable startup success in emerging markets

AbstractUnderstanding the key factors that drive entrepreneurial success is vital in our quest to achieve sustainable development goals and cultivate inclusive business models in emerging markets. This study employs a mixed‐methods approach, combining qualitative expert interviews (n = 25) with content analysis of secondary data sources (76 journal articles, 17 reports, 20 newspaper articles, 15 blogs, 24 video clips, and 7 book chapters). Data were investigated utilizing grounded theory techniques, including open, axial, and selective coding. The study focuses on successful startups in Bangladesh, selected based on criteria, such as financial performance, growth potential, and innovation. The findings reveal that 92% of successful startup leaders possess resilience, 88% demonstrate effective communication skills, 84% exhibit a growth mindset, and 80% employ a strategic mindset. Furthermore, 76% of these leaders foster a culture of innovation by embracing failure, 72% adopt a vision‐oriented approach, and 68% decentralize authority. The study highlights that 64% of successful startups leverage market analysis techniques, 60% optimize their supply chains, 56% employ effective risk management strategies, 52% focus on customer segmentation, and 48% utilize crowdsourcing methods to enhance their strategic decision‐making and operational efficiency. Conversely, 40% of unsuccessful startups lack salesmanship skills, 36% lack humility, and 32% have limited coachability. This research contributes to the understanding of entrepreneurial strategies and the private sector's role in achieving sustainable business development in emerging markets, providing valuable insights for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.